Simple free 3d cad for windows

[RaceDiagnostics]

I need to draw up a couple of simple parts to be laser cut from 30mm steel, basically two rings with six bolt holes each which will be used to crimp these parts together.

I've no cad experience, so want something fairy simple and quick to get started with.

Any suggestions on what to use?

These two parts to be crimped together.

 

[Agroshield]

If it is for laser cutting, why do you need 3D CAD?

Lasering is a 2D profiling operation, so a 2D CAD (LibreCAD or QCAD) would be adequate.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

If it is for laser cutting, why do you need 3D CAD?

Lasering is a 2D profiling operation, so a 2D CAD (LibreCAD or QCAD) would be adequate.

I assumed they would want the thickness specified in the drawing. I guess not from what you say.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Fusion360 is free but with limited export options, but there are other programs that will generate files I think...

But why do you need 3d modelling for 2d cutting?

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Fusion360 is free but with limited export options, but there are either programs that will generate files I think...

But why do you need 3d modelling for 2d cutting?

See above.

 

[Screwdriver]

For speed and simplicity, Sketchup is hard to beat. This takes about 2 minutes for example.

 

[BrokenBiker]

See above.

Must have posted the same time.

You only need a 2d profile for the cutting, just tell them thickness and grade if material to work with

 

[Dr.Al]

Laser cutters usually want a DXF I think. You can draw that directly in something like LibreCAD or you can generate it fairly easily in 3D CAD.

There are lots of posts on here suggesting 3D CAD options so I won't write another long one, but the easiest "proper" free 3D CAD is (in my opinion) Onshape. Sketchup is simple but can be frustrating if your mind doesn't work the way it expects (mine doesn't). The same is true of parametric CAD. Fusion is popular but not as easy or good as Onshape in my opinion.

If you don't want to learn something like Onshape, just use a 2D CAD profile made in something like LibreCAD.

 

[Screwdriver]

I like the look of Onshape (and FreeCAD) but the problem I have with many of these free 3d programs is you have to hand over all of your designs. Even today, to keep Sketchup truly free, I have to use a downloaded, local version (2017) so that I am not forced to give all of my designs away to the rest of the internet.

I'm not just being coy. I literally design and model stuff for 3d print all the time. I'm not going to give away something I have spent weeks or sometimes months working on.

I appreciate this would not be an issue for many others looking to invest their time into learning a new program.

 

[Dr.Al]

I like the look of Onshape (and FreeCAD) but the problem I have with many of these free 3d programs is you have to hand over all of your designs. Even today, to keep Sketchup truly free, I have to use a downloaded, local version (2017) so that I am not forced to give all of my designs away to the rest of the internet.

I'm not just being coy. I literally design and model stuff for 3d print all the time. I'm not going to give away something I have spent weeks or sometimes months working on.

I appreciate this would not be an issue for many others looking to invest their time into learning a new program.

That's true with Onshape (your designs are public on the web and people can copy them in the unlikely event they can find them). It's not true with FreeCAD, Solid Edge Community Edition (both of which are free without needing any subscription) or Fusion (which is free but with a licence that can be revoked/reduced in functionality at any time).

Onshape is very easy to use and if you get on with it and want something similarly easy to use, even more powerful and without the "designs public on the web", then Solidworks Makers Edition is inexpensive.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Moving on to getting actual parts, does anyone have a recommendation for a prototype laser cutting service?

 

[daedalusminos]

I can recommend Andover laser

 

[David_W]

I've used Laser master several times, quick delivery and seemed reasonable on price. Useful to get a rough guide to use the online quote for a square shape
LaserMaster

 

[Richiew]

Fractory is good. Upload files and get instant quotes. You can fiddle with material choices and quantites to get the best value for your order without troubling anyone. It's a free no obligation quote so worth it for price comparison if nothing else.

 

[mightymig]

Onshape by far - it's free, extremely close to Fusion and browser based so you don't need a good computer to run it.

No brainer.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Onshape by far - it's free, extremely close to Fusion and browser based so you don't need a good computer to run it.

No brainer.

I might have to check on shape out soon...using fusion now but it's getting frustrating...I've designed things to 3d print but can't pull the files on the free version to send to my mate with a printer

 

[Richiew]

Export, save as stl works for me.

 

[Openelectron]

I have had good success with FreeCAD. Some great tutorials on YouTube from "MangoJelly"

 

[Misterg]

I might have to check on shape out soon...using fusion now but it's getting frustrating...I've designed things to 3d print but can't pull the files on the free version to send to my mate with a printer

As @Richiew says, or File --> 3D Print, then select 'Export' in the dialogue:

 

[Munkul]

Laser cutters almost exclusively want DXFs. They can drop the file into the machine computer and press go. A PDF drawing that accompanies a DXF is preferred, because of the supporting detail (size, quantity, scale, thickness, etc) but not explicitly required. The most important thing IME about the drawing is that it sense-checks the DXF file, in case you've sent the wrong file, or it's scaled in wrong units, that sort of thing.

If you can design it on libreCAD, then just add in a border and side profile showing thickness and dimensions, job jobbed. No need for 3d.